Jasper considers mule statues to promote art exhibit

A Jasper arts group wants to have artists to place mule statues around the city to promote an art exhibit. Organizers say they chose the mule because of its historic importance in the Walker County city. (Special/The C&O Canal)

JASPER, Alabama — Officials in Jasper are considering a plan to put sculptures of mules around the city.

Walker
County Arts Alliance board member Sharon Hogg says the organization
wants to do a "20-Mule Team Art Project." The project would coincide
with a German-themed Smithsonian Museum exhibit that is set to be at the
Bankhead House this summer.

Hogg says she say a similar project
in Seattle a while ago that featured statues of pigs. She says the mule
was chosen for Walker County because of the animal's historic importance
to the area for farming and mining.

Hogg says each mule would be
hand-painted by an artist. She says the arts alliance wants to produce a
map of the city that would show visitors where all 20 mules are.

City officials plan to put the matter on the agenda for a future council meeting.